Wrench.Pro

1995 Chrysler LeBaron Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1995 Chrysler LeBaron has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Door hinge and door attachment failure.” Chrysler's Oil Change Indicator tracks engine load and duty cycle, then messages when oil life is used up — capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 (300, Pacifica, Town & Country, Voyager) is long-interval by design: spark plugs at 100,000 miles and no timing belt. Minivans in family duty count as 'severe service' more often than owners think — frequent short trips shorten the oil indicator's countdown, and that's the system working correctly.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1995 Chrysler LeBaron.

Reported to NHTSA

Door hinge and door attachment failure

STRUCTURE

25 NHTSA complaints · 1995-08 → 2004-02

“DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAS A THREE INCH CRACK IN THE DOOR HINGE, METAL HAS SPLIT, PREVENTING THE DOOR FROM PROPERLY CLOSING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #862084
“DOOR HINGES BROKE FROM THE WELD PLATE WHICH IS ATTACH TO THE METAL STRUCTURE OF THE BODY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #865548
“DRIVER DOOR HINGE ATTACHMENT PLATE ON DRIVERS SIDE BOTTOM SUNK INTO DOOR AND IN TURN THE DOOR BENT OVER SO WHEN OPENING THE DOOR, IT PUSHES THE REAR OF THE FRONT FENDER IN AND DAMAGED THE DRIVER DOOR SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10047500

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission shifting and engagement failure

POWER TRAIN

13 NHTSA complaints · 1995-09 → 2003-02

“TRANSMISSION HANGS IN SECOND GEAR WHILE CITY DRIVING, WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND UNTIL SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #754770
“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, NOTICED NOISE IN WHEEL AREA, TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING RAPIDLY, UPON CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, CONSUMER FOUND CRUD, AND OTHER METAL PARTICLES IN THE PAN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #839839
“TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #704467

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Serpentine belt coming off pulley

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 NHTSA complaints · 1996-10 → 2000-07

“WHEN DRIVING ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF THE PULLEY, CAUSING POWER STEERING & ELECTRICAL PARTS TO FAIL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #838719
“WHILE DRIVING SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF IN THE RAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #865453
“VEHICLE'S SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF DUE TO SNOW BUILDUP/AND POOR DESIGN, THIERE IS NO BELT COVER AVAILABLE, WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND MANEUVER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #803982

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front seat recline, latch and seatback failure

SEATS

6 NHTSA complaints · 1996-05 → 2003-06

“THE LOCKING MECHANISM HAS FAILED ON BOTH FRONT SEATS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #718211
“DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S FRONT SEATS ARE STUCK IN THE RECLINING MODE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10024374
“LATCH PLATE IN DRIVER'S SEAT HAS CRACKED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8007591

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag deployment and non-deployment reports

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 1996-03 → 2010-04

“WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS INVOLUNTARILY DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10325158
“DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT AT 40 MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #802629
“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION , THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #816872

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling while driving

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 NHTSA complaints · 1996-04 → 1998-03

“WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATES FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS 50MPH AND UP THE ENGINE JUST CUTS OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #814305
“VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING, LOSS OF POWER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #982984
“ENGINE CONTINUES TO STALL AFTER SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #533217

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Anti-lock brake failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

4 NHTSA complaints · 1996-09 → 1996-12

“ABS BRAKES FAILED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, LST ONE RESULTIN GIN A CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #513014
“AT 36,000 MILES THE ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR WENT OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #804368
“DEFECTIVE ANTILOCK BRAKES CAUSE BRAKES TO OCCASIONALLY FADE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #508534

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change oil when the indicator message appears — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L uses 0W-20; PT Cruiser's 2.4L uses 5W-30. Short-trip city driving will trigger the indicator well before 10,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles or at every oil change. Front-heavy minivans (Pacifica, Voyager) chew front tires quickly without rotation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Loaded minivans and the heavy 300 wear rear pads faster than expected — check both axles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Timing Belt (2.4L PT Cruiser)

Every 100,000 mi

PT Cruiser's 2.4L is a timing-belt engine: replace around 100,000 miles (check your manual's exact interval for the year). Do the water pump and tensioner in the same job — the labor overlaps almost entirely.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Minivans (62TE six-speed): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles under family duty. 300 with the ZF/TorqueFlite 8-speed: Chrysler lists no normal-service interval, but specialists recommend fluid service around 60,000-100,000 miles. ATF+4 or the specified 8-speed fluid only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: iridium plugs at 100,000 miles. PT Cruiser 2.4L: roughly every 30,000 miles with conventional plugs — check the manual for your year.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. On the Pentastar it's a quick top-of-engine job; inspect sooner in dusty climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on evidence of cracking or glazing. A failed belt on the Pentastar takes the water pump drive with it — don't run it to destruction.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles — behind the glovebox on Pacifica, Voyager, and 300. Family-hauler duty (pets, gravel school lots) argues for yearly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant: first replacement at 10 years or 150,000 miles per the schedule; many shops suggest refreshing by 100,000 miles. Use OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing types gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually once the battery passes 3 years old. Pacifica's stop-start system uses a pricier AGM or dual-battery setup — weak batteries throw confusing electrical faults first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1995 Chrysler LeBaron reflects Chrysler's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →